It's the best buffer for changing topics. I got a phone call.
"Did Allen send you those documents?" Ford on the receiver got straight to the point.
"Sent it." Zach gestured to Oz. Oz was very conscious and turned his head away, pretending not to listen. That was enough.
"So, what do you think?"
"Haha." Zach smiled, "You have already signed, and you still ask me what I think."
"You don't have to sign!" The person on the other end of the line was straightforward, "After all, the funeral industry is now a private enterprise and is not under the control of anyone. You have no choice but to agree! But!" There must be a but, "I strongly recommend that you sign. Yes, it’s good for everyone!”
"Well, it's good for you, but not so good for Allen and me." What is Zach talking about! When did Grande and Allen have the same interests? of course not! So Zach was just mocking someone...
"Uh. Don't be so petty, Allen has already shown his sincerity..."
"His sincerity makes me nervous, and you know what, he dropped a bunch of hunting weapons in my backyard when he came to deliver the papers."
"Weapon? Why? Uh... I don't want to know. In short, he revoked the restraining order against you, didn't he! Looking at the terms of the contract, he has given up on his previous self-interest, hasn't he! The price is already very fair!"
"Let's put it this way." Zach frowned, "I don't care about those things, and I don't care about the price of the coffins he purchased from Grande and the price of pre-purchasing the cemetery. What I care about is..." What this document is must be clear. "Once I sign this thing, Grande, what else is it? A privatized funeral home? No, it's just you and Allen who provide cemeteries, coffins, and practice traditional funerals, uh, what, I Think about it, it’s just outsourcing.”
"Uh..." There was silence on the other side of the receiver for a while, "You don't have to say it so harshly."
Zach didn't say it in a harsh way, he just described the private industry that Ford cared about very much as an outsourcing that he actually had nothing in hand. As far as companies are concerned, there is no difference, but for a guy like Ford who is particularly concerned about the industry he owns, it just illustrates Zach's point of view.
Let’s be clear. The document Allen sent was a contract for the three funeral homes of Grande, Allen, Ford, and Barton. There are clear terms stipulated above, allowing Grande to 'share' its own unique cemetery resources. Of course, the price was clearly marked, and as the director of the cemetery and traditional funeral services, Grande was able to get the maximum commission from a funeral.
Zach didn't know whose idea it was for the contract. It might have been Allen or Ford. After all, both companies had to suspend cremation operations during this period, and had to cooperate with Grande in traditional funeral services. The inspiration should have been these collaborations, and the result was the document sent by Allen. When cremations resume, this collaboration will continue.
Ford said it was good for everyone.
For him and Allen, it is necessary. Their funeral home is no longer limited to quick cremations. According to the agreement in this contract, they can also undertake customers with traditional funeral needs, and Grande is the one. outsourcing'.
As for the good thing about Zach, it is that the price is clearly marked, and Grande will get the remuneration he deserves, instead of being forced to work for Allen at a loss like the previous cooperation with Allen.
But Zach said it was only Ford.
It's natural that Ford can finally save himself the trouble of fumbling with those fancy funerals. The business has returned to what he has been familiar with for most of his life. Except that he is the owner of the funeral home, everything is the same as it was before privatization, and even better. Don’t worry, after all, the most laborious part is outsourced, you understand. Ford is naturally happy.
Zach thought that Allen would not be happy because the price was clearly marked and Allen would not be able to take advantage of Grande.
Zach also said that Grande is not a good thing for him, well, it’s still this, outsourcing. The most special thing about Grande is that it has become an outsourcer for others. If you are a person with ideas, do you want to write a composition with prescribed propositions, or do you want to write what you want to express? A truth.
Several sighs from Ford were heard from the receiver, "Let me put it this way, I really, really hope this contract will succeed!"
Zach pursed his lips and listened first.
"I don't know how the city government's review of 'unfair competition in the funeral industry' will affect you." Remember this, "To tell you the truth, I hate that thing! Although this damn thing was created by Allen to target Yours, but I believe he hates this thing too! This is only the first year! Zach! The first year of the privatization of the funeral industry! We are all used to the days when we belong to the municipal government and work easily !Financial review? This was something that would never happen before! Now! It has happened! Do you know how much time I spent every day cleaning up my, uh, bad debts that I didn’t even know what to use? ?!”
Zach frowned, beginning to feel some sympathy because it was understandable. Grande's finances are supposed to be the dirtiest among the three funeral homes, but Zach hired the artificial man Earl (now Rimmer, by Smith's side) and submitted it to the city government without feeling anything. . As for Ford, we already know that Ford has done a lot of inexplicable things in order to make money in his only cremation business. And Allen, that dead accountant, need I say more
So what Ford said was right. The financial review was done to target Grande, but Grande was the easiest one, while Ford and Allen were in pain.
"I… "
Ford on the other side of the receiver was about to say something excited, but Zach interrupted, "Okay, I understand. If you sign this contract, Grande's private cemetery will cause unfair competition." The reason no longer exists. Although it is privately owned by Grande, it is open to you and Allen to undertake business, and has clear price standards and is subject to legal constraints. Therefore, the review for unfair competition can be ended. Is this what you mean."
"right!"
"Hey, okay. I'm just signing for you." It also brings an end to the protracted city government review. So that Anthony would not have to worry about this matter in the future.
"Really?!" Well, there was a tone of disbelief on the other side of the receiver.
"I signed, but not this one. Believe it or not, the one Allen sent is like papyrus." Wrinkled, "And I don't really agree with some of the details, since it is the common benefit of the three parties. of the contract, Grande has the right to participate in the negotiation of the terms."
"Okay!" He said too excitedly, "Time and place? You decide!"
Zach turned his head and listened to the sounds outside the office. Louise seemed to have nothing to do, "Now, where are you, Louise come over."
There was another tone of disbelief. The reason was naturally that although Ford was eager, he didn't expect Zach to be even more anxious, "Uh, okay, I, I'll prepare, wait! You're not coming over??"
Zach is not in a hurry, he just doesn't want to delay. For the same reason as rejecting Fitz's game invitation, Zach's actions in the next few days will be very inconvenient. "I don't think Allen wants to see me now. Louise can just go and take care of her for me."
"Uh, okay, then, I'll inform Allen, that's it, hang up."
Putting down the phone, when Zach rang the summoning bell, Oz, who had been distracted from beginning to end, laughed, "Haha, it's interesting. It's so interesting how you worry about the funeral industry~"
"You've already said it once." Zach shook his head with a helpless smile, remembering that Oz had touched himself involuntarily, and combined with the previous conversations about 'collectibles', Zach could understand. Probably, in Oz's eyes, it was a bit difficult to distinguish. The Zack in front of him was one of those 'toys' that had never been successfully assembled.
, or the true self. A wonderfully determined mentality of wanting. Ozzy is the really interesting guy.
"Take Logan." Zach confessed to Louise who came up. There was no need to say more, Louise must have heard it.
Louise nodded and went down. It's good, lest Allen get too arrogant.
Then he looked at Oz, the renegade Sabbat mind-reader, who hadn't even talked about the main topic of his arrival yet!
The unfolded list of Sabbat vampires was placed on the table, and Oz realized, "The Sabbat is worried that these people will not obey your orders honestly."
One thing that needs to be noted is that in the previous dialogue, everything was based on the premise that the Sabbat's pursuit team was 'incompetent' and let Eli Toledo come to Barton.
This has been verified. Zach's guess about the Sabbat is correct. The Sabbat does have plans to get rid of Zach through Eli Torrido this time.
But now, there is a new premise. When the Sabbat's pursuit team was "incompetent" and Eli Toledo had entered Barton's neighborhood, Zach did something that made the Sabbat have to regret what they originally planned, right? Revealing Grand's possession. Colt'.
So, with what Oz said now, 'These people will not listen to Zach's orders honestly. 'Don't worry about being dishonest, just listen to Zach, that's the point. As the old saying goes, whoever has the gun is the boss.
"It doesn't matter, I will make sure they listen. Haha." Zach waved his hand, "What Darcy said is that I can do whatever I want."
"That's the problem. These guys don't care at all about Darcy. Darcy is nothing." Oz shook his head helplessly, "So the first thing these guys did when they entered Barton this morning was to go I'm here to confirm the Sabbat's latest order." Oz turned his gaze slightly, "In their eyes, the only person in Barton who has the right to talk to them is me."
Zach was stunned for a moment and understood, it was a matter of status. Nodding, "So, what's the problem?"
"Lesenbra." Oz pointed to the first name on the list, "Hamilton, he is a third-generation Lesenbra." The leader of this team, "Nominally, he has the same status as me in the Sabbat. , the conversation between him and me was not about obedience, but an equal conversation. If he asked to confirm the Sabbat's decision, I couldn't refuse..." Oz looked back at Zach and said, "You should already understand." eyes.
Zach frowned and put down his wine glass with a serious look, "I remember the habit of the Sabbat." Oz did it to Zach, and Darcy did it to Zach. Come to think of it, when conveying information, no words are used, it is passed directly to the arm, with blood! Looking at Oz, "You are worried that the information about your betrayal will be discovered by this Hamilton."
"Yes." Oz nodded, "And if I hide something, he will also notice it."
"Are all third generations so sharp?" Zach was using his long experience to make a judgment.
"This is not a question of how keen he is, but that I am a mind reader." Oz frowned, "I don't know how to describe it. We are open to each other, and nothing happens. But if one party hides something, it will have a feeling."
Zach didn't think deeply, "Then why did you come to Grande now? What did you say to them?"
"Personally confirm the 'Colt'." Oz shrugged. "Fortunately, they are also curious about this weapon. Since they are not in Patton yet, they cannot confirm it personally, so I came to make this trip. Same as above, I It’s the city, the only person they’re willing to talk to.”
"So, what's your plan?" Zach asked, admitting that he didn't think of any solution at the moment.
"Your eyes, false memories." Oz looked into Zach's eyes and spoke.
"It's useless. You can't fool Lesembra's analysis of blood." Extremely quickly, the corners of Zach's eyes did twitch. "The winner between eyes and blood was decided four centuries ago. Tori Lose more." Ha, didn't Brier say that, he lost blood to his eyes.
"Others may not be able to do it, but I can. I am a mind reader, and no other race can control my thoughts better than me." Oz looked at Zach seriously, "And there is another point that you have ignored. .The victory or defeat between Toledo and Lesembula is between you. Your eyes cannot look at Lesembra for the rest of your life, but the blood of Lesembra can indeed flow forever, so Toredo loses. Now. It's not Toledo vs. Lesembra, it's me. I possess Toledo's false memory and the blood to convey information to Lesembra at the same time. But you won't face each other at all. Who wins and loses? I."
Zach raised his eyebrows, as if being recalled, his eyes were a little wandering. But it only lasted for a while, and a smile appeared on his face, "Oh, you know a lot. Okay, then what are you going to do, rebuild the memory of every time we meet?"
"No, not enough. It starts from when I entered Barton. My curiosity about the structure of Barton's alien race led me to the present. It starts from this curiosity. Two memories, one my real memory and one false memory. , you focus on that false memory and leave the control to me."
"Having two memories at the same time, you will feel like you have an extra personality." Zach's eyes were already red. "Mind-readers always compare their mind-reading to turning the pages of a book. You will It becomes a book with two versions, are you sure you can control it?"
"Even if there is any problem, I still have Morelin~" Oz smiled, "He will make sure that I turn the book to the right position."
"As long as you are prepared. So, what kind of memory do you like?" Zach began to work, "Relaxing and happy, gloomy and depressing."
"It's up to you to decide."
"Then, be frightened. Like Mr. Ye." Zach will never get tired of his bad taste.
"Haha, I like this idea, Lesembra, it will definitely resonate..." (..)